As the song of Kris Allen entitled, “Live Like We’re Dying” states:
“Yeah, we gotta start lookin’ at the hands of the time we’ve been given
If this is all we got, then we gotta start thinkin’
If every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying.”
It is fair enough to say that these lyrics capture the hearts of the ones being diagnosed with cancer. What is it like to live with cancer? One wouldn’t know the truth unless this disease hit him. While adjusting to the diagnosis, cancer patients suffer from different physical, emotional and financial issues which are in addition to the thought of having cancer.
What if the question will be changed into: “What is it like to live like you have no cancer?” Several cancer patients, as well as cancer survivors, have become living testaments that to live life is such a wonderful thing and it must be treated like a blessing.
The Unlikely way of Living
A cancer patient experiences a lot of sickness and pain such as depression, fatigue, nausea and constipation, to name a few. These are often caused by a number of treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation treatments and other systematically designed ones to help minimize the possibility of the cancer being spread.
The anxiety, stress and emotional breakdowns are the ones that can’t be controlled by these treatments for the cancer patient alone must have his own ways to lessen it. A cancer patient must develop his mind and body to conquer everything and see what life really means to him.
The Perks of Living with Cancer
A cancer patient must not be described as sufferer, but as a challenger. Unsure of the time that could be spent living, how will he choose to live his life? Here are some practical and easy ways to live like you have no cancer:
- Treat nutritious foods and drinks as answers to pleasures and cravings. A diet with nutritious content keeps the cancer patient full and healthy. It prevents infection and helps replace tissues that have been broken down. Foods rich in fiber, vitamins A and C usually comes in fruits, vegetables and beans which are often juiced or served naturally – a hydrating and nourishing way to feel healthy inside and out.
- Ask your doctor if a social drink wouldn’t hurt. Alcoholic beverages like wine have received some medical appraisals for giving health benefits. Having this simple pleasure would help you feel celebrated and normal. There are non-alcoholic beers and ones that are brewed from whole grains to keep you satisfied and relieved, just don’t forget to discuss it with your doctor.
- Spend 30 minutes exercising at least four times a week. Your cardiovascular system needs some walking, jogging and other exercising to do. These will also lessen stress and the feeling of aging.
- Appreciate the people that surround you, as well as the animals. Animals that need love often find a good relationship with people. Pets help improve a cancer patient’s immune system, leading to longer and happier life; reduced depression, blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Accept who, what, why, where, and how you are – everything about you. Acceptance just shows maturity and happiness. Accepting and being one’s self are the best ways to inspire others to be unique and to love themselves unconditionally. This belief results in relief among the diagnosed and the other people.
- Take risks and never let an opportunity pass you by. Unhappy people often plant regrets for risks they didn’t take and didn’t think that it may be his last chance to do it. Well cancer patients think differently and have their bucket list, because they know how important the hours that they’re spending, so fear will never hinder them from doing what makes them feel alive.
- Value time, love and yourself. With an uncertain span of time to live on, a cancer patient wouldn’t mind spending it on appreciating everything and everyone that makes him become what he wants to be. Saying such kind and truthful words like “I love you” and “thank you” gives a cancer patient the feeling of gratefulness for the life that he has.
- Be mindful of your mind. Being depressed and lonely about your situation only causes chemical reactions in your body that affect your immune system. So being calm and thinking of happy thoughts help you strengthen not only your mind, but also your body.
Living life, especially if you’re diagnosed with cancer, is just a matter of having a leap of faith and everything will go along. These tips aren’t just for the sake of overcoming such pain and sickness, but it’s for the sake of knowing your purpose to live – which is to live like you have no cancer.
